Magic Johnson jokes about not being able to escape Luol Deng's abysmal contract

There are plenty of bad contracts in the NBA, from New York’s Joakim Noah to Memphis’ Chandler Parsons, but Luol Deng’s four-year, $72 million deal with the Lakers is arguably the worst in the league.

Los Angeles gave Deng a fortune in the summer of 2016, but he had the worst season of his career before being shut down early by the Lakers so younger players could see the floor more often. Deng’s only played a single game this season, and is unlikely to see the floor again.

The Lakers cleared up cap space for the summer of 2018 on trade deadline day by sending Larry Nance Jr. and Jordan Clarkson to Cleveland in exchange for the expiring contracts of Isaiah Thomas and Channing Frye – and while Los Angeles is in great position to attempt to sign two max players this offseason, Magic Johnson would be in dreamland if he could shed Deng’s contract, too.

It’s likely at this point that the Lakers use the NBA’s stretch provision, which would allow the team to waive Deng and spread out his cap hit over five years. By doing so, the Lakers would give themselves around $10 million in additional cap space this summer.

Magic Johnson and GM Rob Pelinka were asked if they tried to move Deng at the deadline, and Johnson could only laugh at the predicament.

Magic and Rob on Isaiah Thomas playing for the Lakers and possibly mentoring Lonzo Ball and if there was any chance of shedding Luol Deng’s contract (wait for Magic’s reaction)… pic.twitter.com/Dac82m6SlE

Reporter: Did you guys have any substantive conversations that would have gotten you off of the Deng contract?

Magic: [Laughs.] We wish, huh? No, that didn’t happen. You want to make a move for us?

No, I think… we want to say this about Luol. Him and his agent, you know, Rob has been working very well with them to try to get him to a place where he can be happy. But there’s not been a trade for him, and he understands that and he knows that.

Rob Pelinka: And I think it’s important to add this, I mean, Luol has been an unbelievable professional and has stayed very positive. He understands the situation, and at some point we’ll figure out a way to resolve that that’s a win for him and for us.

The Lakers may still be on the hook for Deng, but the Cavs trade could prove to be a massive win for the Lakers if they lure a few stars in free agency.

Magic Johnson jokes about not being able to escape Luol Deng's abysmal contract

The Lakers made a big move at the trade deadline, but they still have to pay Luol Deng.

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